NC Voter ID Bill Headed To Governor's Desk

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - A Republican-backed measure making sweeping changes to how and when North Carolinians can vote is headed to the desk of Gov. Pat McCrory.

The bill approved late Thursday by the GOP-dominated state legislature requires voters to present photo ID and shortens early voting by a week.

The measure also ends same-day voter registration and eliminates a high school civics program that encourages students to register ahead of their 18th birthday. Disclosure requirements for campaign ads are weakened and political parties can rake in unlimited corporate donations.

The changes are expected to face court challenges in advance of the 2014 and 2016 elections.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)

___________________PREVIOUS STORYRALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - The Republican-backed measure making sweeping changes to how, when and where North Carolinians can vote is headed to the state House, where it is expected to pass.

The bill approved Thursday by the GOP-dominated Senate requires voters to present photo ID and shortens early voting by a week. The measure also ends same-day voter registration and eliminates a high school civics program that encourages students to register.

North Carolina's presidential primary would be held earlier to closely follow South Carolina's vote. The bill also weakens disclosure requirements for those underwriting campaign ads and allows political parties to rake in unlimited corporate donations.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)_____________________________PREVIOUS STORY:A revised bill supported by Republicans at the North Carolina legislature would add sweeping new restrictions on when, where and how citizens can vote.

Legislation which advanced in a Senate committee Tuesday would cut the state's early voting period by a week and eliminate same-day voter registration. It also increases restrictions on provisional voting and would eliminate straight-ticket voting. The measure also repeals publicly-funded elections for judicial races and increases the maximum campaign contribution to $5,000.

The bill also would require voters to present a government-issued photo ID at the polls.

Republicans say the measures are necessary to combat voter fraud. Non-partisan voting rights groups and Democrats say the new restrictions amount to a blatant attempt to suppress voter turnout.

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